Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A bronze votive plaque with a four line Greek inscription. The plaque, which was originally suspended using the large bronze hook at the top, is made from a sheet of bronze cut in a tabula ansata format, a tablet with dovetail handles that was a favorite in Imperial Rome for creating votive markers. For example, tablets of this form have been found on the leather covers of soldiers' shields at Vindonissa, a Roman legion camp at the modern town of Windisch, Switzerland. This example has holes on the projecting lateral finials and on the bottom, perhaps suggesting other pendants were suspended from it when it was originally made. The inscription, executed in large pointille letters, is a votive to Zeus. Size: 7.5" W x 2.3" H (19 cm x 5.8 cm); 4.95" H (12.6 cm) on included custom stand. Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; purchased from Antiqua, Inc., California, USA, in 2004 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #137065